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Car is having to sit outside this winter.. Advice on storage??

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Old 11-06-2011, 03:46 PM
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Default Car is having to sit outside this winter.. Advice on storage??

Like the title says, the car normally is stored for 3 months during the winter to stay out of the horrible weather. Due to a recent transmission loss, it won't be able to make the trip this year..

So, what is a good way of going about covering/prepping a car to be outside for a couple months in the freezing cold weather. I have a good cover that I always use when car is in garage, so I thought about using it and covering it with a tarp. BTW, the car will not be unattended to. It will be right outside so as on pretty days, I can uncover and let the car air out and what not. And advice on what else can be done, or what shouldn't??
Old 11-06-2011, 04:35 PM
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is your car cover meant for indoor storage only? Plug the exhaust tips, inflate your tires more than normal to help prevent flat spotting, remove the battery and keep it indoors, mothballs inside the car and engine bay, fill the fuel tank and add stabil
Old 11-06-2011, 05:43 PM
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Ya, the cover is just a cloth cover. What about covering the cloth cover with a tarp though?? My dad said it would probably mildew from holding moisture. Does anyone agree with this?
Old 11-06-2011, 06:09 PM
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ur dad is right no tarp will trap moisture. why not just invest in a good car cover? it will make it an easier pill to swallow in the long run
Old 11-06-2011, 06:15 PM
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I've never really looked for a good cover. Really never had a need for one. Any advice on where I can get one??
Old 11-06-2011, 06:22 PM
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im not sure where but i know california car stuff has some of the best ones out there but everybody sells em just do your research. good luck
Old 11-06-2011, 06:28 PM
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like matt224 said or just put all 4 corners on jackstands.
Old 11-07-2011, 10:13 AM
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I had to let mine sit outside my moms last winter after moving. It had a good coat of wax on it so I wasn't too worried. I had her start it once a week and a friend stopped by occasionally to drive it around the neighborhood to keep things moving. When I went to pick it up this past Spring it was pretty dirty but cleaned up perfectly. It was out in the open though, if yours is under a tree or something I would cover it somehow.
Old 11-08-2011, 02:53 PM
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1. Put a good car cover on it.
2. Add fuel stabilazor.
3. Change the oil before storage.
4. Over-inflate the tires (or jack up or put "crappy tires" on the car to prevent flat spots)
5. Put wiffle ***** in the tail pipes to keep critters out of the exhaust.
6. Disconnect the battery. if able, connect the battery to a trickle charger to prevent power loss.
7. Put mothballs inside the car.
8. Claybar/wax the body so it's slick as snot to prevent scratches from the car cover.

All the above should be good to let er' sit for winter.

BTW, I'm in Germany and won't be driving my car over the winter months. I'll be doing most of the above, save I'll leave the tires/battery as is and start the car/move it a couple feet evey 2 weeks or so to prevent tire flattening.

It's not rocket science, just takes a little work and planning
Old 11-08-2011, 04:03 PM
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^^ what he said .. I bought car cover from cover craft I got the Noah .. I payed 250 I believe shipped .. It's great I also put a new fuel filter and rat traps every where
Old 11-09-2011, 06:55 PM
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I wouldnt put a car cover on it at all. Moisture is your enemy
Old 11-09-2011, 07:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Schantin
1. Put a good car cover on it.
2. Add fuel stabilazor.
3. Change the oil before storage.
4. Over-inflate the tires (or jack up or put "crappy tires" on the car to prevent flat spots)
5. Put wiffle ***** in the tail pipes to keep critters out of the exhaust.
6. Disconnect the battery. if able, connect the battery to a trickle charger to prevent power loss.
7. Put mothballs inside the car.
8. Claybar/wax the body so it's slick as snot to prevent scratches from the car cover.

Steel wool works good for the exhaust too. They won't bite through it. and get a battery tender.




And OP, you may have to look into one of these: I may be getting one also as my search for housing with a garage will end up being more than I want to spend.
I forget what they're called.
Old 11-09-2011, 10:27 PM
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might be a noob question but what is the purpose for the mothballs?
Old 11-10-2011, 08:31 AM
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Helps keep critters and whatnot out and from chewing on wires.

Covercraft makes a good product, I was going to get one from them too.

I'd suggest looking into Rhino tents, those things are SOLID. My neighbor has a smaller one; about 10'x6' it seems and it survived our nasty winter last year, Irene, etc and still is good as new.
Old 11-10-2011, 05:26 PM
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I'm on mouse-partol this year..... Darn mice chewed thru my fuel tank harness last winter... The found a home on top of the tank.. Guy said I was lucky nothing caught on fire.



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